DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Fire dangers are expected to remain very high across Wisconsin, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Per the DNR, every county in Wisconsin besides Vilas County is either at a high or very high fire danger as of 11:30 a.m.
Counties that are at a very high level are Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jackson, Juneau, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood.
36 fires were reported in Wisconsin burning over 100 acres on Saturday.
The DNR says 60% of all annual fires in Wisconsin occur in March, April and May.
“A lot of that is due to the fact that this year we had a low snow depth and you combine that with the vegetation not being green yet,” De Pere Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Jack Mlnarik said.
“The vegetation has not started to grow yet so it’s very dry and dead along with having these warmer temperatures and humidity levels are also really low so it’s just kind of a perfect storm,” Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue Capt. Ben Stephany said.
Wind is also a factor.
“Having winds of 10-20 miles an hour are just going to fuel that fire and cause it to spread rapidly,” Capt. Stephany said.
Fire departments say the best way to prevent fires is to pay attention.
“In a second, a lot of things can happen… Just little things that people don’t ever usually, intentionally want to have that problem, but it can happen that quick,” Chief Mlnarik said.
With much of Wisconsin being in the very high risk category for wildfires, Captain Stephany tells FOX 11 residents should not be burning leaves.
“You should not be burning any type of leaves in the country, in the city that’s not allowed.”
He’s also advising against campfires and urges people to stay alert, even when grilling.
“Even if you are grilling , using charcoal grills or something be very careful, do it on cement, and just pay attention because even one little ember can get start the dry vegetation up really quickly.”
In 2021, 47% of wildfires were caused by debris burning, which is the leading cause.
Burning in counties with very high fire risk that are regulated by the DNR are not allowed Sunday due to the fire weather conditions, per the DNR.
In counties such as Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Calumet, Brown, Manitowoc, Door, Outagamie and Sheboygan in Northeast Wisconsin, residents are asked to contact their local fire department, town chairperson, or local municipal official to obtain burning regulation information.
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